Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday inaugurated and laid foundation stone of an array of projects worth Rs 5,941 crore in Gujarat on Monday. These projects encompass various development initiatives spanning multiple government departments, including Indian Railways, the Gujarat Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation (GRIDE), the Water Resources Department, the Water Supply Department, the Roads and Buildings Department, and the Urban Development Department.
The program was held in Mehsana district’s Dabhoda village. Apart from the village, the development initiatives will extend to Mehsana, Ahmedabad, Banaskantha, Sabarkantha, Mahisagar, Gandhinagar, and Patan districts in Gujarat. Within these districts, there are a total of 16 projects, with eight of them being officially inaugurated.
Projects by the Railway Department and GRIDE:
Two railway projects, one in Mehsana and another in Ahmedabad, are primed for inauguration. In Mehsana, the Western dedicated freight corridor section, spanning from New Bhandu to New Sanand, covering 77 km of a second electrified double line alongside 24 km of connecting lines, will be formally inaugurated. In Ahmedabad, the expansion of the 182 km railway line from Veergam to Samkhiali into dual tracks will also be inaugurated by the Prime Minister. Furthermore, the Gujarat Railway Infrastructure Development Corporation is launching a railway project covering 29.65 km between Katosan and Bechraji in Mehsana, which will benefit companies operating within the Mandal-Bechraji Special Investment Zone. The cumulative value of the Railway and GRIDE projects amounts to ₹5,126 crore.
Projects by the Water Resources Department:
In Mehsana, two significant projects will be inaugurated, including the recharging of several lakes in the delta region of Vijapur and Mansa talukas, along with the construction of the Valasana barrage on the Sabarmati River, with a combined value of ₹130 crore. Additionally, in Mahisagar district, the Panam Reservoir-based Lift Irrigation Project will be concluded, connecting various lakes in Santrampur taluka, with a project value of ₹139 crore.
Development Initiatives of the Water Supply Department:
Three water supply projects are set to commence in Banaskantha, and one project in Mehsana will be finalised. These launches will include the initiation of works for Palanpur Group Package 1 (Part-A) and Palanpur Group Package 2. Furthermore, the inauguration of an 80 MLD capacity water treatment plant, relying on Dharoi Dam, will take place. In Mehsana, the Dharoi Augmentation Part-II project will be successfully concluded. Collectively, these four projects represent a total investment of ₹212 crore.
Development Projects by the Roads and Buildings Department:
The project involving the four-laning of the Naroda-Dahegam-Harsol-Dhansura road in Sabarkantha, with an estimated value of ₹166 crore, will also be launched by PM Modi.
Urban Development Department’s Development Initiatives:
The Urban Development Department is embarking on various projects spanning Gandhinagar, Patan, Banaskantha, Sabarkantha, and Mehsana. These include the first phase of expanding sewage and septage management in Kalol Municipality in Gandhinagar, projects like a 13.50 MLD Sewage Treatment Plant in Siddhapur, Patan, a Sewage Treatment Plant for Palanpur Municipality in Banaskantha, a 05.07 MLD Sewage Treatment Plant in Bayad, Sabarkantha, and the implementation of an Underground Drainage System in Vadnagar, Mehsana. The combined value of these projects represents a total investment of ₹168 crore.